ALBERTA: Setback leaves raw milk producers off balance

12.nov.10
Edmonton Journal
Brent Wittmeier

Edmonton area farmers are scrambling to restructure an unpasteurized dairy business after a prominent raw milk advocate withdrew support this week.
On Monday, Ontarian farmer and raw milk advocate Michael Schmidt was in front of Alberta legislature, championing unpasteurized milk -- which is currently illegal in Canada -- as safe and healthier than pasteurized milk products sold in grocery stores.
While initially championing the cause of Beulah Novelty Food Coop, Schmidt announced Wednesday he had withdrawn support of Judith Johnson and Eric Pudlo's Wildwood business, about 120 kilometres west of Edmonton. The decision came after he visited the business, where Schmidt found two "drastic" violations standards set by Cow Share Canada, the organization he heads. Schmidt says the business hasn't tested incoming cows for communicable diseases and doesn't regularly test the sanitation levels of its production facility.
"These are two very crucial elements," Schmidt said. "We had to tell them to stop providing their cow share members with milk."
The issue and initial legislature protest was sparked in part by a recent seizure of raw milk from Beulah Novelty Food Co-op.
Alberta Health Services inspectors seized the milk on the evening of Oct. 26. Johnson, Beulah's operator, had brought a van loaded with raw milk to Edmonton's Freedom Church of God. Several members at the church are cow share members, paying Johnson and business partner Pudlo to feed, shelter and milk cows in exchange for milk. Johnson alleges she was approached by three government workers, who yelled at her and insisted she open her van and turn over the milk. Police were called to the scene, but no charges were laid.
Alberta Health Services subsequently ordered Johnson and Pudlo to cease operations. A spokesperson for the health authority said the milk had high bacterial counts and was unsafe for consumption.
Reached at their farm, Johnson and Pudlo say they plan to restructure their business to comply with Cow Share Canada standards. However, they admit it's been a frustrating experience to have Schmidt pull his support.
"We're kind of upset because we didn't realize the standards," Johnson said. "He's pretty much cut off our livelihood and all of our cow share people are angry because I'm not allowed to ship milk anymore."
Without Schmidt's backing, the group can't afford to risk further confrontations with Alberta Health Services.